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Galway Football thread

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Replying To WanPintWin:  "Shane is a mighty freetaker when he's fit and in flow. The only player in the country who can kick them from range off both feet. He was outstanding in 2022 on the frees. Unfortunately, he's prone to injury and actually had to stop kicking them off the ground for a while due a persistent issue.
You don't think we should be planning for such an eventuality? We lost an All-Ireland in 2024 due to having no backup plan, even though Shane was already carrying an injury that summer.
Nobody's talking about replacing him. But having someone who could come on and nail pretty much any free from inside 50m would be some asset to have."
I dunno. Frees are few and far between nowadays. With the advantage rule a foul seems to invariably end up in a score or a shot at a score. Even Shane's two was a free that was brought back after Galway failed to covert. Next point is nearly all teams are keeping very out and out inside forwards on a subs bench. Nearly all are middle 8 type players. Our two currently are Comer and Oísin. Both very capable and Oísin is an excellent free taker from outside the arc.

SamandLiamSoon (Galway) - Posts: 630 - 24/05/2026 19:55:21    2675138

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Replying To WanPintWin:  "Shane is a mighty freetaker when he's fit and in flow. The only player in the country who can kick them from range off both feet. He was outstanding in 2022 on the frees. Unfortunately, he's prone to injury and actually had to stop kicking them off the ground for a while due a persistent issue.
You don't think we should be planning for such an eventuality? We lost an All-Ireland in 2024 due to having no backup plan, even though Shane was already carrying an injury that summer.
Nobody's talking about replacing him. But having someone who could come on and nail pretty much any free from inside 50m would be some asset to have."
Rob Finnerty and Oisin MacDonnacha I'd guess would be next up

ColmFlaherty (Galway) - Posts: 55 - 24/05/2026 21:28:54    2675171

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Replying To SamandLiamSoon:  "I dunno. Frees are few and far between nowadays. With the advantage rule a foul seems to invariably end up in a score or a shot at a score. Even Shane's two was a free that was brought back after Galway failed to covert. Next point is nearly all teams are keeping very out and out inside forwards on a subs bench. Nearly all are middle 8 type players. Our two currently are Comer and Oísin. Both very capable and Oísin is an excellent free taker from outside the arc."
Frees are critical today more than ever. Having a two-point freetaker is crucial. Beggan is keeping Monaghan in games with his ability to kick them.
Armagh fouled at will in the 2024 final once it was obvious we couldn't kick them from around the 45.
Oisín is a good freetaker, but he missed some in the league and has nowhere near the range of McHugh. Comer kicks frees at club level, but has never been a regular freetaker at county level. He's obviously also prone to injury. Having a player who can kick them from the ground like clockwork is a massive plus. I'll leave it at this, but if he is available and interested, I'd have him in the panel.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2825 - 24/05/2026 23:48:18    2675211

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Replying To Marooned:  "Think yesterday was one of Gleeson's best kicking performances for Galway. He actually got away a good few of those mid range kicks that he normally struggles with. That said Kildare didn't have much of a press on.

Don't think Mulhern is ready for senior intercounty yet. Gives the ball away far too much under pressure or when he's being tackled. He's still young. Still U20 next year but he needs a year or two of conditioning yet.

Conroy was having a bad game but came alive when Comer came on. He loves kicking the ball into him."
A couple of lovely mid range chipped kicks by Glesson as you say, and also two left footed kicks into the right corner to get quick kicks away. Both skills I didn't realise Glesson had in his locker. Very little pressure on obviously but to be fair it was a good performance

Agree on Mulhern also. Galways press was quite good but the few that Kildare got away seemed to be targeting Mulhern. He's probably not fully ready yet. It's a pity last years depth for half forward positions isn't quite there this year

PressureKick (UK) - Posts: 372 - 25/05/2026 09:30:50    2675238

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Good win but I must say Kildare are terrible but we can only beat what is in front of us. One win away from a QF and at least 2 chances to get a win. The draw will be interesting. Most important thing now is avoiding injuries to key men Comer Walsh McDaid etc. I do think we are best to keep Comer in reserve as impact from bench is more important now then ever. Any word on Thompson i do think Mulhern is light and gives away the ball too much? Hernon is our best FB option and has played well. McGrath whilst a brilliant player his form has been lacing and Silke & Glynn deserve their spots in corners. Feel Conroy could struggle in latter stages against better opposotion in terms of mobility. Great to see Finnerty in full flow.

Eire89 (Galway) - Posts: 490 - 25/05/2026 11:25:16    2675292

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